December stuff (picture overload)

Excitement around here is Cali getting super close to crawling.

So cute. So fun. Rockin out.

Still doing cub scouts...this is Tyler and his best buddy, Garrett. Tyler and Matthew loved these ginger bread trees, though I'm not sure why they thought they were so tasty. I threw them in the trash thinking they were done, and they literally sobbed. They got pulled out and brushed off, and they continued to eat:)

Our family at our ward/church Christmas party.

I sang a duet with my friend, Tamiel. I performed the Alto part for the first time ever. Nat and Cass, you would be so proud. I'm not awesome, but I enjoy the challenge and the jitters that come along with doing it. It was fun...."Mary did you know?" Matthew snuck up and took this.

Me and my girls all decked out in our festive attire.

Tyler wanted to be in one, too. His red jacket was festive, too.

A drawing of Matthew's on a cardboard box that I get my professional prints delivered in. I get a ton of these and usually give them to the kids to draw on.

This is out of order, but I like how you can see Alyssa's full holiday ensemble here.


I just liked the look on her face in that corner insert. Having fun with her pollys and dollys around the piano.

The greatest sad face.

The kids are enjoying feeding Cali. I like how Alyssa's mouth is open a bit here.

Cute Cali face.

Making treats, the mint thin Ritz I mentioned below. Yum!

This girl is loved.

Craft evening with my friends.

Yummy cheetos

Ok, these next few picts are just of me and the girls playing with the camera. We were relaxing on the couch listening to my ipod, searching for "Juliet" (Love story by Tayler Swift). We all coincidentally had pink on that day.

I like Cali looking at me here.

And Alyssa looking....

I love my girls.

Alyssa loves to play with my camera, and I enjoy the random candid moments she captures.

A typical evening, waiting for daddy to get home (below).

I can't remember if I posted this...Cali fell asleep upside down-ish.

School Holiday Parties. I was so glad that the boys parties were back to back instead of at the same time like last year. Since I was running Tyler's party at 1:30, I was able to go and just help Matthew's at 12:15. Alyssa helping pass out stuff for the ornament in Tyler's class. It was an exhausting 2 hours, but oh so worth it to participate. The boys still love me to be there, and that makes it all worth it.

Matthew's class playing BINGO.

Cali fell asleep at the end of Matthew's (a small miracle) and I was able to set up for Tyler's hands free. It was a short nap, but at just the right time. I went up to the attic that morning and found the red shiny shoes that Alyssa wore to my brothers wedding when she was Cali's age. All decked out!

I helped Alyssa put together her fancy Christmas outfit. I love what she did with the headband!

This Santa below is a former patient of Michael's--years ago! I forgot he does this for the community. Alyssa was supposed to go see Santa at the mall for a preschool field trip, but it got cancelled. She really wanted to talk to Santa's helper, so we went to see this guy. He sits out on his front lawn on a sleigh and people in the community come to see him. Below is Matthew detailing his top 5 items on his wish list. 1. An orange Dreidel 2-5 are video games and lego sets.

Santa came out at 7pm and Cali was too tired and slept at home. Michael wanted to stay with her (and to get some online shopping done), so I went solo.

We did wait in line with some friends though, so that was nice. Where is Matthew?

This is our little tree this year. Didn't go cut one down since we would be gone. I love how out the window is my neighbors tree--in full autumn splendor (mid December). I actually took this shot for the sake of the leaves.

Morning cartoons.

My walking group. We started in September and walk M/W/F at 8:15 for an hour. On warmer days we will play at the park after. Its been really great to talk and exercise at the same time. Sometimes others come, but we almost always have 3 or 4. This was a colder day.

Kristen, Gretchen, Monica, Stacy, Liz

These two were taken in September on Monica's phone. It started POURING rain half way through and we ran to a tunnel and waited it out. It was fun for all!
Monica, Kristen, Michele, Stacy
I wanted to have a Christmas dinner Sunday night and use my Christmas dishes (we got as wedding gifts). Our friend Kelsey was over and joined us.

Michael made Chicken Carbonara with Prociutto and it was so yummy!

Alyssa took this of me at the park.

I had to get caught up before all the Christmas festivities. We will be at my moms in Houston. Cali is on my lap as I type this and it is becoming increasingly harder to work on the computer with her on my lap. She is very grabby!